JUST IN: Charles Hoskinson points to the 1.5B+ iPhones in circulation as a "massive anonymity set," that could potentially leverage Midnight's ZK proofs and selective disclosure, to prove a photo came from an authentic iPhone and prove IP ownership, all while preserving privacy.

What happened

Charles Hoskinson said there are over 1.5 billion iPhones in use, which he calls a large group for privacy. He suggested using Midnight's zero-knowledge proofs, a way to verify information without revealing it, to prove photo authenticity and ownership privately.

Confirmed

Global impact / market context

If this works, it could make Midnight (a blockchain linked to Cardano) more useful for verifying digital content. This might attract more users and businesses, potentially increasing the value of the ZK token, which is tied to Midnight's ecosystem, and boost investor interest in privacy-focused tech.

Analyst inference

News like this comes as tech companies face pressure over fake images and copyright. Midnight's approach could position it as a solution, possibly drawing attention away from competitors. Investors in blockchain or digital rights might watch for partnerships or adoption signals, which could affect ZK's price and similar projects' appeal.

Analyst inference

What to watch

1. Watch whether Hoskinson or Midnight officially announces a product or partnership using iPhone anonymity sets. The article only shows his initial idea, not a concrete plan or release, so confirmation is needed. Confirmed
2. Observe if Apple or major photography platforms show interest in adopting such verification. If they do, it could validate Midnight's tech and spur demand for ZK tokens, since real-world use often drives value. Analyst inference
3. Monitor any changes in ZK token trading volume or price after this news. Strong reactions might indicate investor confidence, while a lack of movement could mean the market waits for more details before acting. Analyst inference

Affected assets

• ZK — ZKsync

Evidence

• x.com